Secretary of State
Election Results
| Candidate | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Steve Hobbs (D) | 910,193 | 48.76% |
| Dale Whitaker (R) | 682,521 | 36.56% |
| Marquez Tiggs (D) | 180,398 | 9.66% |
| Damon Townsend (N) | 93,508 | 5.01% |
* Race percentages are calculated with data from the Secretary of State's Office, which omits write-in votes from its calculations when there are too few to affect the outcome. The Spokane County Auditor's Office may have slightly different percentages than are reflected here because its figures include any write-in votes.
The Candidates
Steve Hobbs
- Party:
- Democratic
- Age:
- 54
- City:
- Lake Stevens, Washington
Education: Graduated from Lake Stevens High School in 1988. Received a master's of public administration and a bachelor of arts from the University of Washington.
Work experience: Has served in the U.S. Army and the National Guard for 30 years.
Political experience: Was appointed to secretary of state in November 2021. Served in the state Senate from 2007 to 2021. Elected to the position in 2022.
Family: Married to Pam Hobbs. Has three children.
Dale Whitaker
- Party:
- Republican
- City:
- Spokane, Washington
Education: Attended Washington Comprehensive High School in the U.K. before moving to the U.S. Earned a GED before attaining a bachelor’s degree from Ashford University.
Work experience: Currently owns and operates Mass Tax. Previous executive director of We Believe, We Vote, a Spokane-based conservative organization that surveys political candidates about their opinions on social and cultural issues such as Christianity, the Constitution, gay marriage, abortion and the First and Second Amendments.
Political experience: None.
Family: Married to Sabreen Whitaker. They have two children.
Marquez Tiggs
- Party:
- Democratic
- Age:
- 37
- City:
- Seattle, Washington
Education: Graduated from Russellville High School in Alabama in 2007. Holds a bachelor’s degree from Grand Canyon University.
Work experience: Currently works as a member consultant at Verity Credit Union. Served in the U.S. military.
Political experience: Previously ran for Secretary of State in 2022.
Family: Married. No children.
Damon Townsend
- Party:
- No Labels
- City:
- Gig Harbor, Washington
Education: Graduated from Bethel High School in 1994. Earned an associate's degree through the state Running Start program. Holds a bachelor's degree in accounting and business administration from the City University of Seattle. Holds a masters degree from Western Governors University.
Work experience: Currently worked as a self-employed government efficiency and business consultant. Previously worked as the Pierce County Elections Supervisor.
Political experience: Elected as a Precinct Committee Officer for the Democratic Party in the '90s. Elected as a Delegate for the Republican National Convention in 2012. Ran unsuccessfully for Pierce County Auditor.
Family: Married to Dawn Townsend. They have three children.
Complete Coverage
Washington state Republican Party endorses 6 candidates as races for statewide offices heat up
The candidates who managed to clinch a party endorsement are not guaranteed a spot on the general election ballot come November. However, an endorsement earns them free publicity and fundraising help from the party in the coming months.